However, Beigong Chun didn’t want to have a dispute with Zhao Erlang over this matter. If they crossed boundaries in seeking profit, it could very likely create a deep rift between the armies.

Wasn’t there a precedent with Wang Mi and Liu Cong?

Why did those two end up with one dead and one defeated in Luoyang?

Wasn’t the initial reason precisely because Wang Mi and Liu Cong competed for profit, both overstepping their bounds?

Seeing Beigong Chun didn’t agree, Zuo Du couldn’t help but regret. He should have known better than to follow General Huang back—he should have acted first and reported later.

He wondered if it was still too late to go now.

Beigong Chun seemed to know what he was thinking. He glanced at him and said, “Set this matter aside for now. You’re not to take matters into your own hands. Wait until after the Dragon Boat Festival, and I’ll discuss it with Second General Zhao.”

“But what if Second General Zhao doesn’t agree? The bandits on that mountain must be wealthy. If the Magistrate finds out, she’ll definitely favor Second General Zhao. By then we won’t even get any scraps.”

Beigong Chun just gave him a cool glance. Zuo Du immediately didn’t dare say more, but could only watch helplessly as such a money-making opportunity slipped away.

With family members present, and with their futures no longer rootless like duckweed that would vanish into smoke upon their death, the money and military merit they earned would now fall to their families.

Previously, because their families were far away in Xiliang, and they themselves didn’t know if they’d be able to return in their lifetime, whenever they plundered goods or earned money, they would immediately squander it all.

Luoyang city’s rapid recovery of vitality owed partly to their contributions, as they spent money without the slightest restraint. So much so that although the army had little meat in the previous month, they’d privately opened quite a few small kitchens in the city.

Now their money was spent, but their family members had arrived right in front of them. Only then did they realize how strapped for cash they were.

Sigh, if only they’d known, they wouldn’t have been so wasteful before.

With family members at their side, they began to ponder ways to earn money.

As soldiers, they recognized only two legitimate ways to earn money. One was the military pay distributed from above—there was no point thinking about that, as the Magistrate was in such difficult straits, barely able to feed them, let alone distribute military pay.

The other way was through battle!

In battle they could plunder goods and search the bodies and prisoners for valuables.

After settling their families and unpacking the luggage they’d brought, displaying everything properly, the soldiers discovered that their homes looked rather shabby. Most importantly, the rice jars at home were all empty.

So some people went to hover around Beigong Chun. “General, the Magistrate not only saved our lives but also recognized our worth. If not for her bringing us out of Chang’an, we might still be suffering there now.”

Beigong Chun thought: clearly it was he who led them out of Chang’an, though admittedly it was Zhao Hanzhang who sent people to invite them.

“Now she’s even gone to such trouble to relocate our families to Luoyang for reunion. Such great kindness—we should repay it even more.”

“That’s right, General. We’re willing to give our lives for the General and the Magistrate.”

Beigong Chun interrupted their impassioned speeches and asked, “Just say it—what do you want to do?”

“General, Luoyang is now under the Magistrate’s control, and the surrounding counties mostly depend on Luoyang. It’s only because there’s no imperial decree that this awkward stalemate continues. I say we should send troops to bring those counties that haven’t yet submitted under our control, appoint new county magistrates, and河南郡 should rightfully be in the Magistrate’s hands.”

“Exactly. Only by gathering the entire Henan Commandery under her control can Luoyang be truly secure.”

Beigong Chun said, “…Have you all consumed deer blood or something?”

He continued, “The Magistrate and Advisor Ji can worry about such matters. We just need to drill the soldiers and await orders.”

He paused before adding, “His Majesty has only just relocated the capital to Yuncheng. The Magistrate taking control of two counties without magistrates has already attracted enough criticism. Even if we were to act, it couldn’t possibly be now, so put away your scheming thoughts.”

Both Gucheng and Xin’an lacked county magistrates. Zhao Hanzhang had directly appointed magistrates and sent troops to garrison them. Though the Yuncheng court was displeased, they wouldn’t push too hard.

But if Zhao Hanzhang took the entire Henan Commandery without the Emperor’s consent, that would be different.

He’d heard the Emperor had sent some money and grain to Fu Zhi in Chang’an, hoping he would develop and serve as a check on Zhao Hanzhang.

Actually, the Xiliang Army soldiers never quite understood the Emperor and Fu Zhi. Everyone knew Fu Zhi’s grandson Fu Tinghan was in Luoyang, that he was of one mind with Zhao Hanzhang and served as her right hand. How could the Emperor still trust Fu Zhi so much?

Fu Zhi was also strange—not helping his own grandson but instead helping the Emperor. Truly incomprehensible.

Several men were disappointed in their hearts, realizing that causing trouble for Gou Xi and seizing territory from him wouldn’t work either. “Then shall we send troops to Bingzhou? How about we take over a few villages and towns in the southern part of Shangdang? It’s harvest time now—if we attack, we could seize this year’s fresh wheat.”

Beigong Chun was tempted and seriously considered it. “Let me go request instructions from the Magistrate.”

Some also went to hover around Huang An and Zuo Du.

Those hovering around Huang An told him, “Vice General Huang, we understand the General’s difficulties. There’s definitely no settlement allowance, so we can’t expect our families to eat plain porridge with us. Why don’t we take advantage of the high morale and go fight the Xiongnu and Xianbei?”

Those seeking out Zuo Du were lieutenants and subordinates with closer relationships. “I heard your men say you discovered a bandit lair today, and the people there are quite wealthy.”

Zuo Du knew what they wanted to say. During the Xiliang Army’s most difficult days, they’d also robbed bandits—oh, suppressed bandits.

He said, “Don’t even think about it. The General says that’s Second General Zhao’s territory. Even if we’re going to attack, we need to clear it with Second General Zhao first.”

“Second General Zhao is running around looking for people to train his troops. Not only in the Xin’an area, he’s also suppressed quite a few small bandits scattered around Luoyang’s outskirts. If he notices Children’s Ridge, will we still have a chance to act?”

“The General is too rule-abiding…” He couldn’t help muttering, “In these matters, whoever seizes it first wins. The Magistrate even dares to seize territory from the Emperor’s hands. We’re just taking out a nest of bandits—what’s the problem?”

Zuo Du glared at him. “Can the Emperor compare to the Magistrate? Besides, the Emperor is far away in Yuncheng and can’t reach Luoyang, but the Magistrate is right here in Luoyang, and Children’s Ridge isn’t far away either.”

“Second General Zhao is still the Magistrate’s younger brother. The General follows the rules because he doesn’t want to create conflict with Second General Zhao or develop ill feelings,” Zuo Du said. “Wait until after the Dragon Boat Festival. The General will discuss it then.”

Helplessly, they could only temporarily suppress this matter.

But reuniting without sufficient provisions truly gnawed at their hearts and minds.

Before nightfall, Fu’an slipped lightly into the study. Glancing at Zhao Hanzhang, who was working at her desk, he approached Fu Tinghan and whispered, “Young Master, Gao Hui and the others have returned.”

Fu Tinghan looked up. “What did they bring back?”

Fu’an lowered his voice. “A large batch of furs, and also sheep. This time he also traded glass for a batch of books—all ones the Jie barbarians plundered from Prince Donghai’s army.”